Bowman Lake Semi-Primitive Area has about 10 miles of trail, including 3 of the North Country National Scenic Trail which begins in New York and ends in North Dakota! Bowman Lake is within the Manistee National Forest.

From US 10, turn south at the blinker in Walhalla. Take a left at Kinney (following the main route) and this becomes 56th St. Travel about 8 miles to the corner of Evergreen. Continue "straight" (the road takes a little twist) and the trailhead is in about one more mile on the left (north) side of the road as you begin downhill. Do NOT go all the way to Bowman Bridge Campground!

From Baldwin, go west out of town on Lake St. till it turns into 52nd St. It will jog a bit and become 56th St. 4 miles from town you will cross Bowman Bridge, and the turn to the Campsite. Continue one more mile, and the Trailhead is on the right (north) side of the road as you begin uphill.

There is a $3/day or $20/year fee to park at Trailheads in the Manistee National Forest. There is a self-pay station at the Bowman Lake Trailhead. Minimum distance required to get the answer to the question about 1 mile. The questions are listed on the entry form, and the question for this hike is on the printable information sheet.

The map below appears on the printable version, and should be adequate for this short hike, However, if you so desire, you can purchase maps for this section of trail from the North Country Trail Association, 1-866-hikeNCT. Request mapset "Manistee Forest South." Also free paper maps of the NCT throughout the entire Manistee National Forest are available from the Baldwin (231-745-4631) or Manistee (231-723-2211) Ranger Districts.